On April 4th, 2025, the NV Council organized a summit called “NV Summit” to discuss SDGs 4 and 10. The idea of the summit was to provide insightful views of how Cambodia is doing regarding these goals and how youths can help achieve them. With increasing world problems, the agenda has been clear: youth involvement is highly needed. The UN has tried for decades to solve issues around the world, but results have yet to be seen from only adults; inclusion of youth may be the key to solving this.
The summit was joined by the NV Council, LFRD Representatives, UN Youth Advisory Panel (UNYAP), Social Issues' Solutions' Club (SISC), and Impact Hub. The variety of backgrounds and voices offered the audience an interesting view of the SDGs that were discussed.
The representatives of the LFRD Environmental Council and the representative of UNYAP both agree that the first step for youth to help out and be involved in SDG works is to share their work, whether online or in person. Panel discussions such as that of the summit are important in the process of achieving their goal. No matter the background, the collective goal is to build a more sustainable and just world. Furthermore, the representative of UNYAP highly encourages youth to be more involved in volunteering not only to increase their portfolio but to gain experiences that can be used to help others. He emphasized the importance of actions, stating, “we need to see action, talking alone is not enough”. This statement cannot be more truthful. The major factor in achieving something is working for it constantly and showing progress instead of making unreliable speeches and promises.
This view is shared by the representative of the SISC club as well. The SISC–Social Issues' Solutions' Club–has been around for almost a decade now. Founded in 2017, the club aimed to tackle problems through the gathering of youths and taking initiatives such as Hackathons and learner’s workshops. This club operates in Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, and Phnom Penh. One of the biggest issues they have had to deal with is the lack of commitment of the participants. Seeing as the youth’s involvement in social issues is a relatively new concept in Cambodia, this is not a rare case. Some youths might need additional help or resources in order to execute and commit to a project. Like the SISC, Impact Hub also holds hackathons and workshops to teach youth about the issues the world faces. Impact Hub focuses on climate action, diversity, and inclusion. The organization has made a huge impact around various sectors, such as education, health care, and agriculture. They offer the opportunity for youth to showcase their skills and develop them further.
It’s important to note that both small and big initiatives are equally impactful. Another panelist for the summit was from the Romduol Charity Foundation. This charity was founded by high school students and has been shown to have made an impact on small communities and orphanages. Through organizing marathons and races, the charity has been able to raise money for children in need. Romduol charity used social media to advertise their cause, which reached hundreds of people. This charity shows that youths hold the power to make a difference and that social media can be used in a positive way.
To sum it up, it is never too late to take action and help make our world a better place. One person has the ability to make a difference for themselves and others. People from diverse backgrounds, age groups, and cultures should be involved to ensure that the causes are met and equitable changes are implemented. Critically, youths should be involved in the discussion of the issues surrounding the world they will have to live in. To quote the Head Teacher of the NV council, “there is still room to grow,” and small discussions like the summit are already a good start.